Safaris · SOUTH AFRICA SAFARIS
Kruger for scale, Pilanesberg for a malaria-free morning out of Johannesburg, Addo for elephants by the hundred. These 15 say which reserve, how long inside it and what the vehicle is.
Leave Cape Town by air-conditioned minibus for Aquila Private Nature Reserve, crossing the Hex River Valley. After a buffet lunch, join an English-speaking ranger for a two-hour open-vehicle safari. You may see lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and up to 172 bird species.
“It was great! Our guide Kayim was fantastic, great ride”
Leave Johannesburg early for Pilanesberg, then spend 4.5 to 5 hours on two open-vehicle game drives. Guides such as Petrus, Martin, Solly, and Desmond track elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, and big cats. Hotel pickup, lunch, and return transport are included, but the park fee is extra.
“It was a long day but definitely worth it. We saw a lot of animals, the tour guide was very friendly and she did everything for us to see as many animals as possible. We even saw a lioness. Lunch was alright, nothing special. Can recommend the tour!”
Travel in a small group from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas and Garden Route Game Lodge. Expect long but scenic drives, two safari outings, a three-course dinner, breakfast, and a comfortable four-star chalet. Guides such as Chris, Vaughan, and Benjamin are known for thoughtful commentary.
“The guide (Chris) was excellent. Very flexible, planning the route to get the best weather at different places and asking us how long we wanted to stop for. He also answered all my questions about South Africa”
Ride from Port Elizabeth, Bluewater Bay, Colchester, or Addo in an air-conditioned 4x4 with a guaranteed window seat. Your English-speaking guide, often Freddy, John, Sidwell, or King Elvis, leads two game drives, lunch, and wildlife watching in Addo.
“Wow, this day was just incredible! It’s worth every penny. My guide John/Kagisho was very kind and I wouldn’t have seen half the animals, if i wouldn’t have had his spotting skills and knowledge about the park. The Picknick was nice too. We even got so lucky to see two lioness up close.”
Set out from Hazyview at 5:30 am for a private, full-day Kruger safari with a professional guide. You will search for the Big Five, cheetahs, African wild dogs, and birds, with breakfast and lunch stops. Guides such as Senzo, Didi, and Patrick are praised for their wildlife knowledge and care.
“Didi proved to be quite an awesome guide—he was very knowledgeable about so many things in the park, and was able to answer all of our questions. He also got us up close and personal with white rhinos, elephants, leapards, zebras, giraffes, and countless other small gaRead more”
Leave Johannesburg or Pretoria early for Pilanesberg National Park, then join two open 4x4 game drives with a safari guide such as Clement or Sibu. You’ll pause for lunch beside a waterhole and return after an unusually full day of wildlife viewing, transport included.
“Very good tour, worth every penny. Seen all the animals except a lion lol but it was cool to see rhinos and leopards!! Definitely recommend”
Head from Gansbaai’s Great White House to the Dyer Island ecosystem for a two-hour marine safari. A marine biologist explains the wildlife, while the crew searches for whales, sharks, seals, dolphins, and penguins. Cape Town transfers and a penguin sanctuary visit are optional.
“Their focus in conservation and education is very obvious. Everyone from reception, to check in and briefing, to the crew afterwards was amazing. They truly went out of their way to ensure everyone’s experience was pleasurable.”
Join an English-speaking guide for a 3-hour open-vehicle safari at Botlierskop near Little Brak River. Search for 26 wildlife species and more than 200 bird species, then use the reserve’s restaurant, pool, and scenic grounds. Guides such as Chris, Neil, and Mandela are praised for sharp eyes and lively commentary.
“Although we were a bit unlucky with the weather (rain + fog) we were offered to be booked for a later tour - which we declined - we still got to see a lot. Our guide shared lots of information and answered all our questions with us. In general all the staff is very friendly and the entire reserve and estate is great. Highly recommend ! We had a great time :)”
Spend about nine hours traveling from Cape Town to malaria-free Aquila Game Reserve, where an English-speaking ranger leads a three-hour open-vehicle drive. Expect lions, rhinos, buffalo, elephants, giraffes, birds, a buffet lunch, and scenic Karoo views. Guides such as Denver, Max, Josh, and Abriel have earned particular praise.
“We are not really animal friendly but the whole experience of this safari was amazing, from the friendly and helpful driver/tour guide to the guide on the safari bus. Had an amazing day”
Travel from Cape Town through Du Toitskloof and the Breede River Valley to Aquila Private Game Reserve. Your guide, often Mike, Werner, Jamie, or another Born in Africa professional, handles the drive while a reserve ranger leads the safari. Lunch and champagne are included in the reserve fee.
“Werner my tour guide and driver was super! Fun, courteous, knowledgeable about the area and country. The winery was lovely and a good tasting. Aquila was great. I lucked out and had Jana as my guide. She is the conservationist for the reseRead more”
Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve with guides such as Dona, Elda, or Frank, then ride an open safari truck at sunset. Expect a long but scenic day, a 45-minute wine tasting, welcome refreshments, buffet food, pool time, and a good chance to see four of the Big Five.
“The trip was amazing, both the driver to Aquila and the safari tour guide were amazing. They both explained things very well. On the way from CPT to Aquila our driver explained some history about CPT, the winefarms and the wars, it kept the drive entertaining. Shoutout to Dona (our driver) (with one a)😉. The safari tour guide was also very good. The park itself is beautiful aswell, it’s not the biggest, but it was big enough to see a lot of animals. We managed to see 4 out of the big 5. The leopard was the only one we didn’t see. Apart from the animals in the big 5…”
Meet before sunrise at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris near Magaliesburg for a one-hour flight above the Magaliesbergs and Cradle of Humankind. Your pilot, possibly Nic, Nick, Marc, or Eugene, provides commentary before a smooth landing, toast, certificate, and buffet breakfast.
“It was a birthday present for may daughter combined with my bucket list item flying Hang-gliders and small aircraft the balloon ride was a long outstanding thing. The Bill Harris site is well organised and recommendable for a fun morning outdoor adventure. It is not cheap but worth every penny. A day to remember for the rest of my live.”
Travel from Cape Town or Stellenbosch to Oudtshoorn for two shared 4x4 safaris at Botlierskop and Buffelsdrift. Expect long scenic drives, a night in accommodation ranging from backpacker to luxury, and an optional elephant observation. Guides such as Nev, Denver, Ulrich, and Dylan are known for keeping the journey informative and friendly.
“I have no words to describe what this experience meant to me. I only encountered amazing people who made me feel safe and loved! I could see all the animals I admire from up close, I had the time of my life. Thank you everybody for everything!”
You’ll leave Johannesburg or Pretoria in a clean, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, then join a one-hour open-vehicle drive at Lion and Safari Park. Expect close views of lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, giraffes, and other animals, with a possible white lion sighting.
“Due to COVID we could not pet the lion cubs, we did however enjoy the park. Our 4 year old and 1 year old were very interested and enjoyed riding in the safari bus. Our driver Nick was very helpful and an excellent navigator. We would recommend this tour if you want to get up close and personal with some of the animals at the park. The Lions came right up to the bus!”
Travel from Cape Town to Aquila Private Game Reserve for a sunset drive in an open 4x4 truck. You’ll have round-trip transport, a welcome drink, snacks, and an experienced ranger. The reserve offers close animal sightings, though the long drive and bumpy truck ride require patience.
“We had tue most amazing day, our driver Dona was absolutely amazing , told us so much about South Africa in our drive qas very friendly and made us all very comfortable was also a fantastic driver felt very safe. We saw 4 of the big 5 the Aquila Game reserve was absolutely magnificent we had a great guide Tyler he made every effort possible to make our Safari perfect. Thank you for such a wonderful experience.”
Dunes, game drives, camps or snow.
